Leo Club of Downtown, Kingston makes presentation to the JNHT

June 18, 2012

Kingston, June 8, 2012 - The Jamaica National Heritage Trust has received a cheque for J$40,000 from the Leo Club of Downtown, Kingston to assist with the maintenance of the Colbeck Castle heritage site.

The JNHT Executive Director, Mrs Laleta Davis-Mattis, accepted the cheque from the Cultural Director and incoming President of the Leo Club, Miss Brittania Rodney.

The Leo Club of Downtown, Kingston - a service organisation comprising tertiary level students - has been working with the JNHT on a beautification project at Colbeck Castle in Old Harbour, St Catherine. Since January, the students have helped to plant more than 30 trees at the heritage site and have organised fundraising initiatives.

The cheque to the JNHT Executive Director represents the fruits of the students' fundraising efforts.

Accepting the cheque, Mrs Davis-Mattis thanked the members of the Leo Club of Downtown, Kingston for their interest in and hard-work at Colbeck Castle. She said the money would be used to install a storyboard detailing the history of the site.

"The students have done a tremendous job in helping to advance our plan for a heritage park at Colbeck Castle. They have worked very hard between exams and course work; we really appreciate it and wish them all the best in their studies. We look forward to working with the Leo Club, the Old Harbour community, and other stakeholders in conserving the heritage site and making it accessible to generations to come."

The JNHT has been seeking partnerships to undertake the installation of signage, park benches, fencing and other amenities at the site.

Colbeck Castle is a 17th century structure believed to have been built by Colonel John Colbeck between 1670 and 1683.

For more contact:
Oliver Watt- Director of Communications
Jamaica National Heritage Trust
Mobile: 564-9198 | oliver.watt.jm@gmail.com